Tag Archives: Low Carb

It is Day #3, Week #2 of our attempts at weight loss. I am trying a new plan based upon an article I recently read. It said that if you go at least 48 consecutive hours with no/almost none carbs, then it will spur a metabolic boost that will help lose weight later in the week.

The first week I tried this, all went well until Day #3 when I made a mad dash for the donut shop, effectively undoing the progress I had made.

This second week, however, I am more focused. I made a concious effort to buy extra no carb foods so that I could experience some variety. Based upon our weigh-in this week, I also implemented this same strategy for both of the boys. We are all slightly overweight….not much, but slightly. Having to go without carbs for two days has really been an eye opening experience. We have all seen just exactly how awful our carb intake has been. “You don’t miss it, until you no longer have it”, right?! Well, we definately missed the carbs, but at the same time are gaining a knowledge of what is healthy and what is not.

I’ve done a considerable amount of research over the last few days. My question was, after the two days are done, then just how many carbs (and calories) are healthy for each one of us? Thankfully, I now have a plan to monitor for myself and the boys during the rest of the week. I will attempt to stay at 1200 calories/180 carbs per day. Both of the boys will be at 1970 calories/295 carbs per day.

Preliminary results are good! Our weights this morning revealed a 1.5 lb loss for me, 3.3 lb loss for the youngest son, and 4.6 lb loss for the eldest son. I’m so grateful that they were able to see results, and that their “suffering” paid off! Ok, they really didn’t SUFFER……I just realize that finally they have experienced hunger pains for the first time in forever. Prior to this plan, they basically wanted to eat every five minutes, it seemed. I would justify giving additional snacks because they are “growing, energetic boys”. However, what I realize now is that they were consuming too many calories and carbs.

We’ve never had trouble with them eating vegetables…..it’s not that they wouldn’t eat a well balanced meal. It is just that they also wanted two helpings of meat, Texas garlic toast, sugary cereal (for breakfast AND snacks), popcorn melting in butter, ice cream, and what WAS the occasional Dr Pepper was now a “3-4 times a week Dr Pepper”. Add that to too many hours playing video games and being stuck in the house too long and we begin to see the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle.

I don’t want a weight issue to be with them into adulthood. I want to claim a healthy body for myself as well. So, this is the plan, at least for now and it’s working 🙂

One interesting thing to note is that normally my weight starts small(er) in the mornings and then fluctuates 1-2 pounds within the day, ending at a higher weight in the evenings. This is typical, I think, for most people. However, weighing in after lunch actually showed me 1/2 lb LESS than what I weighed this morning! Hmmmm……maybe the metabolic boost thing is working? (despite having 3 muffins, a piece of bread, and caramel rice cakes today)

Lastly, I wanted to share one very, very low carb treat we’ve found this week. It’s refreshing, cold, and creamy so it’s likely to stay on the weekly menu for a while!

Orange Creamsicle Dream Dessert Drink

8 oz diet orange soda

2 tbsp heavy whipping cream

1 cup of ice cubes

Mix it all in a blender and enjoy! It makes one serving, so just add what you need to multiply according to the number of people you will be serving. The drink’s texture is a little bit weird as the cream does not mix with the ice like most sugar laden smoothies. However, we ate the chunks with a spoon and then when the ice broke down enough to liquify, it became a really cold wonderful creamsicle drink!

We’re having pork chops tonight…..AND summer squash……AND mashed potatoes! I only get 1/2 a cup of potatoes so you can bet I will be slowly enjoying every bite!

Recently I read an article that said if you severely limit your carb intake (little to none) for 48 hours straight, then it will cause a metabolic boost that will help loose weight the rest of the week.

This seemed like a workable plan for me. I figured two days without bread, sugar and starch would be better than what I had been doing, so there could only be a healthy consequence by trying this plan.

Last week was Week #1. My two carb-less days went ok, however, by day #3 I was seriously starving. We celebrated the accomplishment with a trip to the donut shop…..sigh.

Realizing that my Overly-carb’d Day #3 absolutely busted any progress I had made with Day #1 and #2, I remained determined to keep trying this plan.

Today is Day #1, Week #2. So far, we have had watermelon for breakfast, and a grilled chicken/avocado salad for lunch (no dressing). Tonight I plan on making an egg omelet. It’s not a perfect no carb day, but very close.

Tomorrow, what will be have to look forward to? Eggs, meat, some veggies. I will admit I’m not very excited at eating the same thing again. I like variety. There’s not many foods that I don’t like, and so I want to eat them all! (thus, my growing weight problem)

Do any of you have any no/very very low carb recipes? I’m also looking for an internet link to a simple fruit/veggie list and each one’s carb counts. I sure could use some ideas to keep this going!